S²PACK: Safe and smart packaging

The project S²Pack addresses research challenges that will facilitate future “safe and smart packaging” fabricated through the application of printing and coating processes. “Safe” refers to added functionality such as low permeability or antimicrobial coatings whereas “Smart” refers to an active component that can be used by the vendor, for example, for promotion/brand protection and by the customer to detect for example, freshness or spoilage.

Packaging constitutes a major part of the retail value chain and also has a direct impact on the manufacture of the associated materials (substrates, inks…). Today, packaging is expected by both the vendor and consumer to fulfill more and more requirements such as being light, strong, recyclable, biodegradable…. More recently the potential for the integration of advanced functionalities such as sensing, active display and security for brand protection is being explored.

This project focuses on technology that will support safe and smart packaging in the medical and food sectors for which the elaboration and application of new kinds of functional packaging materials constitutes a current research challenge.

The S²Pack project includes three main axes of development:

• The development of active coatings based on nanocellulose, the study of their barrier properties, and the possible integration of hybrid nanocellulose/nanowires system that may be tuned to achieve barrier and antimicrobial properties
• The development of sensor capability (gas concentration, temperature, humidity) based on a carbon platform
• The combination of both elements in a smart and safe system (in industrial application these technologies may be used independently as well as in combination).